In addition to military metaphors in 2 Timothy 2, Paul is also fond of athletic metaphors (2 Timothy 2:5). The Christian must be spiritually a good athlete. Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith.” The goal of an athlete is to be “crowned” (cp. Hebrews 2:7, 9), the wreath given to the winner. However, the winning athlete does not receive this crown unless he competes “lawfully.” Anyone who breaks the rules is disqualified.
In life, we are running a race of endurance. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). This race takes preparation. Life is not a quick sprint! Thankfully, God has promised that we can finish the race (1 Corinthians 10:13). The word of God provides us with the ability. We it, we can be “perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:17). We have many attachments in this life, but we cannot let them pull us away from Christ. Paul told us to “hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
We must strive to get the mastery of our lusts and we must do the will of God before we receive His precious promises. If you would like to know more about what the Bible about righteous living, please contact us for a study.
Kyle Campbell
